Newline Designs expanding 20mm Colonial range

Newline Designs have been steadily adding to their 20mm colonial offerings over the past weeks. In April the firm expanded the offering of regular British infantry to include new command poses. In May the range was extended to include mounted Boers. And recently, Newline announced seven new sets of figures to be released featuring British infantry in Glengarry caps.

The picture above, taken from the Newline website, shows BOE02 “Boer Cavalry.” Click on the image for a larger version.

These mounted figures are sold in a set of three, which retails for £3.30.

The Newline website can be found here.

http://newlinedesigns.co.uk/

HistoriFigs to release 25mm Scruby Boers

The images above, taken from the HistoriFigs blog, show J-51 (Boer firing) and JC-55 (Boer rider). See below for details; click on the images for larger versions.

Mike Tabor at HistoriFigs has good news for those who have noticed a gap in HistoriFig’s 25mm colonial offerings. Jack Scruby designed and released a small set of Boer figures in the mid-1960s. Mike has now been able to find or re-create masters for all these figures, and has started to produce them. The range now includes:

J-50 Boer infantryman, standing on guard
J-51 Boer infantryman, standing, firing
J-52 Boer infantryman, walking, rifle at the trail
J-53 Boer soldier, to be used as an artilleryman (no weapon in hand)
JC-54 Boer rider, firing from saddle
JC-55 Boer rider, holding rifle on thigh

The foot figures are being sold for 75 cents each, $4.50 for a bag of 6, or $7.25 for a dozen. Cavalry figures, including mounts, sell for $2.00 each, $11.75 for 6 or $21.75 for 12. All figures are in US dollars.

The HistoriFigs website is here:

http://www.historifigs.com/index.htm

Irregular adds 20mm Celts and Romans

Irregular recently expanded their 20mm Ancient range to include two popular forces: Celts and Romans.

The line now includes 10 foot poses for the Celts, along with a pair of mounted figures on a choice of steeds, and a chariot with crew. The Romans are represented by 5 foot figures, 3 mounted (one of them an auxiliary), and a ballista with crew.

The foot figures are priced at 50p, while mounted figures are £1.00. The chariot and ballista cost £4.35 and £2.00 respectively.

The range can be viewed on the Irregular website here:

http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

The images above are taken from the Irregular website. Click on either one for a larger version.

Top image
TCRR1: Legionary advancing
TCRR5: Centurion advancing
TCRR4: Signifier Standard Bearer advancing
TCRR3: Horn player advancing

Bottom image
TCRC13: Celtic Chariot with 2 crew (shown with optional wicker sides).

Newline Designs adds 20mm Boers and Afghans

The image above is taken from the Newline Designs website, and shows item BOE01 “Boer Infantry.” Click on the picture for a larger version.

Newline Designs has just announced the addition of two new sets for their 20mm Colonial range.

The first set comprises 12 Boers on foot. Each figure is in a unique pose, with standing, kneeling and a prone fighter all included. This is the first Boer subject offered by Newline. The company is selling the set for £5.00.

The second set includes 5 mounted Afhans. The mounted Afghans join two existing sets of foot figures already in production. The set is also retailing for £5.00.

Newline Designs also offer Zulu and British forces for the Zulu war.

Newline figures are all designed by Sean Pereira. The website is here:

http://newlinedesigns.co.uk/

25mm Garrison Assyrians back in production

Rob Young from Garrison Wargames Figures continues on his quest to rescue and re-release the complete Garrison range. The latest additions comprise a number of Assyrian figures for the 25mm Ancient range.

Originally designed by John Brathwaite, the new figures include 12 foot and 5 mounted poses. Garrison is selling the foot figures for £0.70, while the mounted warriors sell for £1.60.

The pictures above come from the Garrison website and show the following:

A02 Infantry armed with spear and shield, attacking (top)
A11 Infantry with long mail coat, attacking (bottom)
Click on the images for a larger version.

Garrison’s Website is here:

http://www.garrisonminiatures.com/index.asp

Elhiem Releases 20mm Taliban and More

The image above, distributed by the company, shows TAL 03 “Afghan Irregulars Skirmishing.” Click on the picture for a larger version.

Matt Hingley recently announced the release of three new sets of Afghan irregulars from Elhiem Figures. These figures are suitable for a variety of scenarios from the Soviet invasion up to the present. The set illustrated is sold for £3.25, and can be ordered directly from the company.

Other releases in October have included USMC troops in 2010 gear, and figures for the British in Iraq, circa 2003.

Elhiem’s website is here:

http://www.elhiemfigures.com/

Martello sculpts resurrected by Under Fire

This photo, taken from the Under Fire website, shows the first release from the Arab/Israeli range: a 5 man IDF patrol for 1982. Click on the image for a larger version.

Martello International was formed in late 2008 to market a limited number of ranges sculpted by Stuart Emmett and Tony Boustead. The first products went on sale in January 2009, and eventually included a number of World War Two and more recent subjects.

While some very nice figures were produced, the company never really had success in the retail and distribution functions. The story got a bit confusing in the fall of 2009, with changes in personnel, and announcements that the rights to the current or future figures were being sold or licensed variously to Sgt’s Mess, TQD, artwho9 Painting or AB Figures.

Flash forward a year, and most of the confusion has been removed. The former Martello range is being re-released by Under Fire Miniatures, a new company started by Bill Weston.

The website is here:

http://www.underfireminiatures.com/index.htm

As of now, the following ranges are available for purchase:

WWII Germans, Italians and Russians;
Arab/Israeli 1982 (1 pack only so far);
Rhodesian Light Infantry, and Selous Scouts;
British and Taliban in Afghanistan.

Before the end of the year, Bill plans to have some additional British figures produced, wearing updated (2010) helmets and body armour, and carrying some new weapons. They will be joined by a couple of new SAS packs for the same theatre.

Also on the schedule for this year, we should see a new range of modern Russians, based around the 2008 Russia/Georgia conflict as well as four packs of Vietnam figures.

Bill promises further expansion of the existing ranges next year.

RH Models expands Liberation moderns

The image above shows Liberation Miniatures' recent release UK03-com, “British 2003 Command Pack.” It is taken from the RH Models website. Click on the image for a larger version.

Under RH Models, the Liberation brand of 20mm metal figures continues to grow. RH is adding content to a number of the Liberation lines on an incremental basis. This month, the newest additions are:

US, 2 downed helicopter pilots with M4s (code uspdm4)
British 2003 command pack - 5 figures for £2.50 (code uk03-com)
British in osprey/kestrel body armour, command pack - 5 figures for £2.50 (code ukospcom)

The lines in the Liberation range include:

Modern British
British SAS/SBS
Modern USA
US Special Forces
Other NATO
Modern Africans
Rhodesians
South Africans
Modern Russians
Modern Afghans
Modern Cubans
Chechens etc.
Arab Militias
Modern PLO
Insurgents
Indo China 1950
Korea and Vietnam
Balkan Wars
Arab Israeli conflicts
Urban Terror
Iraq 1973-2003
Iran 1970s/80s
Several generic weapon and vehicle codes.

Liberation also offers a small number of figures from the British Army from before 1939.

The full catalogue can be found on the RH website:

http://www.rhmodels.com/index.html

Irregular offers "A Very British Civil War"

Ian Kay’s company released an intriguing new 20mm range earlier this summer. Called “A Very British Civil War,” the line includes such archetypical British figures as bobbies, fox hunters and boy scouts. The intrigue comes when you realize that they are all armed, and looking for a fight.

The line currently includes:

Four policemen;
A mounted policeman;
A num and a lady in long dress;
A pair of farmers;
A mounted fox hunter;
A boy scout.

Arms include rifles, shotguns, a tommy gun, and a Molotov cocktail (about to be thrown by the boy scout).

The figures are best suited to the period after the Great War, up to the 1950s, although several of the figures could have a wider use.

Foot figures are being sold at 50p, while mounted ones cost £1.00.

The image above is from the Irregular Miniatures site. Click on it for a larger version.

More Wodensfeld ACW releases from Nostalgia Revival

John Cunningham, of 20mm Nostalgia Revival, has recently provided a full list for the revived Wodensfeld ACW range.

Infantry are available in packs of ten figures for £4.50 GBP. They are organized by position/action:

Marching at right shoulder shift
RSS 1 shell jacket, gaiters, kepi
RSS 2 shell jacket, gaiters, hat
RSS 3 shell jacket, kepi
RSS 4 shell jacket, hat
RSS 5 shell jacket, blanket roll, kepi
RSS 6 shell jacket, blanket roll, hat
RSS 7 sack coat, kepi
RSS 8 sack coat, hat

Charging
ADV 11 Louisiana Tigers
ADV 12 5th New York Zouaves

Skirmishing
SK 17 Berdan's US Sharpshooters

Command packs include 5 figures with, officers, flag bearers, drummers, NCOs and buglers as appropriate. They sell for £2.50, and include:

CP 1 shell jacket, gaiters
CP 2 shell jacket
CP 3 sack coat
CP 9 Louisiana Tigers
CP 10 5th New York
CP 11 Berdan’s USSS

Mounted figures are as follows:

CPM 1 Mounted officers 2 kepi, 2 hat with horses £ 4.00GBP
CWP 1 Lee & Major Taylor ADC £3.00 GBP
CWP 2 Jeb Stuart & Sweeney (banjo player) £3.00 GBP
CWP 3 Jackson & Longstreet £3.00

At present only some of these figures are available, but the rest of the range will be ready over next few weeks. To order, or for further information, contact John at CunnJoh@AOL.com

The image at the top of the page shows some test figures from this range. From left to right, they are RSS 4, RSS 1 and SK17 (two figures). Click on the picture for a larger version.

Sgt Major's Miniatures adds Aussies for WW2

Sgt Major’s Miniatures (SGMM) is an American firm producing metal 20mm figures for the Second World War. They offer a very complete range of US figures for that conflict, as well as some Japanese and German troops.

In their newest offerings, the firm has tackled some Australian subjects, including regular infantry, command, mortars and MG sections. They have also produced a couple of additions to their German and American lines. The photo below shows the mortar set.

To lighten the mood, SGMM has also added a small set of “pin up girls” from the same era.

Both photos are from the manufacturer’s website. Click on either image to get a larger version.

Elhiem adding new US figures for Iraqi Freedom

Elhiem Figures issues a web-based newsletter which provides a nice peak into their future plans. Elhiem is a very active firm, delivering 1/72 scale metal figures covering a number of conflicts.

In the latest issue of the newsletter, the company provided some photos of upcoming additions to their “Iraq and Afghanistan” line under the “Modern Forces” range.

The photos below show some test castings. (Click on the images for larger versions.)

According to the newsletter, these models portray the US Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom, although they can also be used for Afghanistan. The pictures are still provisional; due to some difficulties with the moulds, some of these figures may not be produced.

Shield Wall Games shuts down

I am not sure how recently this happened, but I just found a note tucked away on the Shield Wall Games site explaining that the company has ceased operations.

At the time of its demise, Shield Wall was offering a 20mm modern infantry range with a focus on the US army. According to TMP, in 2007 Shield Wall purchased the Faust Studio line which had previously been sold to Second City. The Faust line included 20mm vehicles for World War One and Two, as well as several 25mm ranges.

The photo below shows one of their Modern subjects. It was listed as "Modern US Troopers pack 10." (The picture is from their website.)




Anyone with further information on the fate of the Faust Studio range, please add a comment below.

News: Frontline purchases IT Miniatures

Earlier this month, Frontline Wargaming announced the completion of a deal to purchase IT Miniatures from the former owners. The IT brand includes a number of 20mm metal ranges for the first part of the twentieth century. They are:

Western Front
East Africa (WWI)
Middle East (WWI)
Russian Civil War

In addition to figures, IT offers terrain pieces (notably a trenchworks system), artillery and vehicles.

These figures and accessories will complement Frontline’s existing range of 20mm resin terrain and accessories.

Although there will be a period of adjustment, Frontline promises to be able to fulfill IT orders in the very near future.

UPDATE: As of June 29, Tim at Frontline tells us that they can now accept mail orders for any item in the catalogue. Show stocks may still take a while before they are completely comprehensive. They have also made a few changes to the website to better reflect the offerings.

New Mexican Punitive Expedition figures from Jacklex

In 1916, General John “Black Jack” Pershing led an American punitive expedition into Mexico, following Pancho Villa’s attack on a town in New Mexico. Spencer Smith Miniatures now allows gamers to reproduce the drama of that campaign with a new line of 20mm figures under the Jacklex brand.

These miniatures have been sculpted by Jack Alexander, the founder of the Jacklex range. Click on the pictures for a larger version.

Peter Johnstone of Spencer Smith points out that supplementary figures can be taken from the Boer War range to represent more Americans. In addition he is exploring other ways of extending the Jacklex range.

The figures are not yet listed on the Spence Smith website, but can be ordered by email. The full list of figures is shown below.

JACKLEX: PUNITIVE EXPEDITION IN MEXICO

AMERICANS

INFANTRY

PEA1 ADVANCING
PEA2 (a) STANDING FIRING
PEA2 (b) KNEELING FIRING
PEA3 STANDARD BEARER
PEA4 BUGLER, PLUS SEPARATE RIFLE
PEA5 OFFICER FIRING PISTOL
PEA5(a) OFFICER STANDING WITH BINOCULARS

CAVALRY

PEA6 OFFICER WITH PISTOL
PEA7 TROOPER WITH PISTOL
PEA8 TROOPER WITH BUGLE
PEA9 TROOPER, STANDARD BEARER
PEA10 HORSE AT TROT WITH SWORD AND CARBINE TO ATTACH

(All figures cost 45p each except PEA10 which costs 50p)


ARTILLERY

PEA101 ERHARDT GUN £2.50
PEA102 CREW (4 figs) £1.80
PEA103 COLT MACHINE GUN £1.25
PEA 104 MG CREW (3 FIGS) £1.35
PEA 105 US MOTOR CYCLE PLUS RIDER £1.25
PEA 106 LIMBER WITH RIDERS £7.95

MEXICANS

INFANTRY

PEM1 ADVANCING
PEM2 STANDING FIRING
PEM3 KNEELING FIRING
PEM4 FLAG BEARER
PEM5 OFFICER

CAVALRY

PEM6 CAVALRY FIRING FROM SADDLE
PEM7 CAVALRY WITH RIFLE
PEM8 FLAG BEARER
PEM9 (a) RURALE (MEXICAN POLICE) WITH SABRE
(b) RURALE OFFICER
(c) RURALE BUGLER
(d) RURALE GUIDON
PEM10 CAVALRY OFFICER WITH PISTOL
PEM11 HORSE (CHARGING)
PEM12 HORSE (TROTTING)

(All figures cost 45p each)

ARTILLERY

PEM101 75MM GUN £2.50
PEM102 CREW (4) £1.80
PEM103 COLT MG £1.25
PEM104 MG CREW (3) £1.35
PEM105 LIMBER PLUS RIDERS £7.80

Vintage 20 mm lines Continue to Grow

John Cunningham has provided an update on the various vintage lines he is manufacturing. He is making progress on all fronts.

Les Higgins

Two new Marlburian poses are now available:

MP 38 charging musketeer
MP 39 charging officer

They are joined by one mounted figure from the English Civil War:

EP 16 mounted cavalier bare headed waving sword

Wodensfeld

The Seven Years War French foot figures are now in full production.

Douglas Miniatures

John reports that new variants are in development. In addition, one new Marlburian mounted figure is now available:

MB 5 Horse Grenadier

Cunningham Miniatures

The Wellington in India Sepoy range has now reached 24 variants, which are available for purchase.

In addition there are several brand new offerings for the 1740s, including:

Irish Piquets (Irish troops in French service, who fought in Scotland)
a marching Grenadier
British officers
Arquebusiers de Grassin, (a specially raised force of French light infantry)

Most of these additions will be out in early August, while two poses for the arquebusiers are already available.

Finally, John also promises some Polish troops for the 17th century will be out soon.

New GIs from SHQ

Peter Edwards from SHQ has sent over samples of his firm’s latest release. They comprise six bags (each containing three figures) of US GIs from World War 2. They are wearing the M1941 field jacket and M1 helmet. These figures are not in the familiar combat poses. Instead, this release focuses on supplementary figures including gun crews, and medical subjects.

The releases are illustrated above. Click on an image for a larger picture:

GI 19 Drivers (top left)
GI 21 105mm Artillery Crew (top right) - note that one figure has a separate arm , which is placed in front of him in this photo. There is also a shell in front of the furthest right figure.
GI 22 155mm Artillery Crew (middle left)
GI 23 Wounded and Two Medics (middle right)
GI 24 Stretcher Party (bottom left)
GI 25 Surgeon and Two Orderlies (bottom right)

Each pack is being sold for £1.85. Per figure costs, at today’s exchange rates, are:

UK Pounds: 0.62
Canadian Dollars: 1.18
US Dollars: 1.03
Australian Dollars: 1.35
Euros: .77

The SHQ website is here: http://www.shqminiatures.co.uk/

Irregular adds French for two World Wars

Ian Kay at Irregular miniatures tells the Plastic Pelisse that he is adding a number of French figures to the company’s 20mm First World War and Second World War ranges today. Given the recent explosion in plastic WWI sets, and the steady growth in early WWII, this is timely news.

For World War One, the new additions are all portrayed in late war gear. They include:

NWF12 Late infantry advancing
NWF13 Late infantry firing
NWF14 Late infantry with rifle grenade
NWF15 Late infantry with chaucaut
NWF16 Late assault infantry throwing grenade
NWF17 Late assault infantry/pioneer with grenade bag, rifle and wire clippers
NWF18 Late infantry HMG & 2 crew
NWF19 Late infantry bugler
NWF20 Late infantry officer
NWF21 Late cavalry with sword & carbine
NWF22 75mm field gun & 4 late crew
NWF23 37mm anti-tank gun & 2 late crew
NWF24 Mortar & 2 late crew

For the Second World War, the new sculpts are:

N97 French infantry advancing
N98 French infantry standing firing
N99 French infantry with LMG
N100 French HMG & 2 crew
N101 French mortar & 2 crew
N102 French bugler
N103 French officer
N104 French cavalry
N105 75mm field gun & 4 crew

The figures can be ordered from the company’s website: http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

Ian hopes to have pictures of the new figures up in the next few days.

News: Sepoys, Sikhs and Rifs coming in 20mm

John Cunningham, owner of the old Les Higgens, Douglas and Wodensfeld lines, has shared his immediate plans with the Plastic Pelisse. Due this month will be two sets of new releases, while a third is on the way.

The first release will be sepoys for “Wellington in India.” Arthur Wellesley served in India from 1797 to 1805, fighting in the fourth Anglo-Mysore War and Second Anglo-Maratha War. These figures will provide a start on refighting those campaigns. John will have six figures in this set.

A second release will come out at the same time as the first. This release will cover Akalis (religious warriors) for the first and second Anglo-Sikh wars (1845-49). This release includes 7 figures, some with separate muskets. For a description of one battle involving the Askali, plus a nice picture of a few Akali warriors, see this page:

http://www.britishbattles.com/first-sikh-war/ferozeshah.htm

Finally, John has a range of Rif warriors under development.

For now, John has not settled on a name for his new range. However these figures are not expected to be marketed under the existing brands.

News: Douglas Miniatures return to production

In a testament to bad timing, I recently claimed in this blog that Douglas Miniatures are no longer in production. In fact, the long period of dormancy is ending for this range. John Cunningham, who already owns moulds of some other vintage 20mm ranges, has purchased the known Douglas moulds, and is busy bringing them back to market.

John currently offers figures from these makers:

Les Higgins: Marlburians and English Civil War (including more than a dozen new figures)
Douglas: Marlburian (they have been remoulded)

He is clearly a very busy fellow, as his current projects include the following:

• Getting the Douglas Crimean range back in production (going through remastering and moulding now)
• Ditto for the Douglas Napoleonics
• Releasing a limited run of Wodensfeld 7 Years War French (expected release at the end of February)
• Working on a few other ranges (details to come)
  

In addition to that, he will be getting around to formalizing a trading name for his company, and perhaps putting up a website.

Until then, you can contact John by email for his lists, and to place orders. He can be reached at: CunnJoh@aol.com. His current prices are:

Les Higgins Marlburians
foot/rider 35p each,
horse 45p each
guns £2

Les Higgins ECW
Foot/rider 40p each,
horse 45p each
guns £2

Douglas Marlburians
40p foot/rider/horse

Price on Wodensfeld TBD (it will be a 36-piece set)